Check Engine Light

Dmillion · 02-10-2009, 10:06 AM

So my check engine light comes on and I take my car to the dealership. My mfg warranty expired 1 month ago, but my car is a CPO. So the service advise calls me and say "o, you jus need a software update and it cost 270 bucks" and I'm like WTF...suddenly I need a software update. When my car was in warranty u didnt want to give me an update but now I think you jus wwant my money.

Has anyone had a check engine light come and the remedy was a software update? That jus dosent make sence to me that suddenly one day after 4 yrs i need a software update to make a light go off.

gos · 02-10-2009, 10:17 AM

Tough to say without more information, but software updates have fixed a sirius radio that wouldn't acquire signal and the steering wheel lock issue for me.

BK · 02-10-2009, 10:18 AM

For your 545i? Take a look at this SIB, is this your issue? More than just a s/w update required: http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B110205g.htm

I'd ask at an E60 board, but sure, I could see how a change in s/w might make the idle more stable or something of that nature, avoiding a CEL.

335iPaul · 02-10-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gos

Tough to say without more information, but software updates have fixed a sirius radio that wouldn't acquire signal and the steering wheel lock issue for me.

+1 It fixed a steerling wheel lock issue for me.

methodtim · 02-10-2009, 10:32 AM

You should ask for them to do it under goodwill, especially if there is a TSB attached to your issue.

Dmillion · 02-10-2009, 01:25 PM

So I call the service tech and asks him what fault code is the system giving him and he gets soooo defensive lol. So he called back with fault code 2A17 (DMTL diagonis Module tank leakage, system failure). I googled it and someone said that just means that maybe your gas cap is loose. I'm going to take my chances and tell the SA to not fix it...drive my car for a few more days and see if it goes off

3pnt4maro · 02-10-2009, 04:40 PM

yeah thats your gas cap....when i first bought mine I had the same problem every time I filled up but I found a trick...I read the owner manual and it states that when you are filling up the tank and have the lil thing engaged so you dont have to hold the pump..once it clicks and stops fueling the vehicle DO NOT attempt to put in more gas..simply take the nozzle out and hang it up...dont try to round up to the nearest dollar or whatever..

I did this and always make sure the cap clicks three times and havent had a single issue since..try this and see if it helps...the tank requires a slight amount of air and if you fill it up too far then this ends up tripping the sensor from what i was told as the tank cant equalize the correct amount of pressure

Dmillion · 02-10-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3pnt4maro

yeah thats your gas cap....when i first bought mine I had the same problem every time I filled up but I found a trick...I read the owner manual and it states that when you are filling up the tank and have the lil thing engaged so you dont have to hold the pump..once it clicks and stops fueling the vehicle DO NOT attempt to put in more gas..simply take the nozzle out and hang it up...dont try to round up to the nearest dollar or whatever..

I did this and always make sure the cap clicks three times and havent had a single issue since..try this and see if it helps...the tank requires a slight amount of air and if you fill it up too far then this ends up tripping the sensor from what i was told as the tank cant equalize the correct amount of pressure

Kool...thx

GMWNashville · 02-10-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3pnt4maro

yeah thats your gas cap....when i first bought mine I had the same problem every time I filled up but I found a trick...I read the owner manual and it states that when you are filling up the tank and have the lil thing engaged so you dont have to hold the pump..once it clicks and stops fueling the vehicle DO NOT attempt to put in more gas..simply take the nozzle out and hang it up...dont try to round up to the nearest dollar or whatever..

I did this and always make sure the cap clicks three times and havent had a single issue since..try this and see if it helps...the tank requires a slight amount of air and if you fill it up too far then this ends up tripping the sensor from what i was told as the tank cant equalize the correct amount of pressure

its actually not gas cap related...but yes the SIB fixes a dmtl problem...

Dmillion · 02-10-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volkswackin

its actually not gas cap related...but yes the SIB fixes a dmtl problem...

If it's not gas cap related then what exactly is it? Also, what is DMTL?

Dmillion · 02-10-2009, 08:07 PM

So I go to pick my car up and the service manager immediately wants to talk to me in his office. So I tell him my issue and why the SA's explanation was not logical...so for 30 min he explains how he values my business, why the update is needed, and how I should give them a good rating blah blah blah. So he finally says "if you get your battery replaced, then I will do the software update for you for free".

So apparently the voltage on my battery was low and “supposedly” that’s the reason the computers are acting funny and throwing these codes. Of course they wanted $450 for a new battery and I declined. Is there a cheaper yet quality alternative battery out there that I can purchase? So in the back of my mind im like whatever..jus give me my car and I’ll see about getting a new battery.

So the SA is like “bring his car around, but we are going to have to jump start it”….once again I’m like get tha F outta here with that mann.. So I get the car back and THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS OFF! Now I’m not saying my car is fixed because it may not be, but I couldn’t help but think these guys were just trying to get some money out of me. O..and car started just fine when I got home lol.

Here is the SIB that they referred to http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho....php?p=2095136 and it says NOTHING ABOUT REPLACING THE BATTERY like they stated on my paper work….I’ll have my battery checked out tomorrow.

Spoolin335 · 02-10-2009, 09:53 PM

holy fuck, what the run around. please state the dealer so local guys know to stay far away!

GregL · 02-10-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmillion

So apparently the voltage on my battery was low and “supposedly” that’s the reason the computers are acting funny and throwing these codes. Of course they wanted $450 for a new battery and I declined. Is there a cheaper yet quality alternative battery out there that I can purchase? So in the back of my mind im like whatever..jus give me my car and I’ll see about getting a new battery.

If you do have to change the battery, I find that Interstate makes good quality units that are typically the same physical size as oem for easier installation and mounting. Can't beat a spiral cell battery like Optima, but the price and warranty are good.

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/c...513-2147384848

RouterGuy · 02-10-2009, 11:10 PM

I just had a low brake pad warning on my e92. Apparently, a software upgrade did the trick. The car only has 18K miles, so it obviously didn't really need pads. But what could possibly happen that all of a sudden, the software is bad?! I don't get BMWs. This will be my third software upgrade in a year. Who writes this code, Microsoft?

02-10-2009, 10:06 AM	#1
Dmillion Private First Class 21 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 2005 bmw 545i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	Check Engine Light - Tech Says I Need A Software Update? WTF So my check engine light comes on and I take my car to the dealership. My mfg warranty expired 1 month ago, but my car is a CPO. So the service advise calls me and say "o, you jus need a software update and it cost 270 bucks" and I'm like WTF...suddenly I need a software update. When my car was in warranty u didnt want to give me an update but now I think you jus wwant my money. Has anyone had a check engine light come and the remedy was a software update? That jus dosent make sence to me that suddenly one day after 4 yrs i need a software update to make a light go off.
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02-10-2009, 10:17 AM	#2
gos Captain 27 Rep 959 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Tough to say without more information, but software updates have fixed a sirius radio that wouldn't acquire signal and the steering wheel lock issue for me. __________________ -- 330xi SG/Terra/Burl -- ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, CA, Sirius, PDC
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02-10-2009, 10:18 AM	#3
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	For your 545i? Take a look at this SIB, is this your issue? More than just a s/w update required: http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B110205g.htm I'd ask at an E60 board, but sure, I could see how a change in s/w might make the idle more stable or something of that nature, avoiding a CEL. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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02-10-2009, 10:32 AM	#5
methodtim Brigadier General 374 Rep 3,883 Posts Drives: Audi RS Q8 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Darkness there, and nothing more iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Audi RS Q8 [0.00] 2021 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 Toyota Tacoma [0.00]	You should ask for them to do it under goodwill, especially if there is a TSB attached to your issue. __________________
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02-10-2009, 01:25 PM	#6
Dmillion Private First Class 21 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 2005 bmw 545i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	So I call the service tech and asks him what fault code is the system giving him and he gets soooo defensive lol. So he called back with fault code 2A17 (DMTL diagonis Module tank leakage, system failure). I googled it and someone said that just means that maybe your gas cap is loose. I'm going to take my chances and tell the SA to not fix it...drive my car for a few more days and see if it goes off
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02-10-2009, 04:40 PM	#7
3pnt4maro Long Time Lurker 22 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330I Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: LaGrange, Georgia iTrader: (0)	yeah thats your gas cap....when i first bought mine I had the same problem every time I filled up but I found a trick...I read the owner manual and it states that when you are filling up the tank and have the lil thing engaged so you dont have to hold the pump..once it clicks and stops fueling the vehicle DO NOT attempt to put in more gas..simply take the nozzle out and hang it up...dont try to round up to the nearest dollar or whatever.. I did this and always make sure the cap clicks three times and havent had a single issue since..try this and see if it helps...the tank requires a slight amount of air and if you fill it up too far then this ends up tripping the sensor from what i was told as the tank cant equalize the correct amount of pressure __________________ 2006 BMW 330i-E90-14.4@96mph-Daily Driver BSM, Premium Package, Logic 7, BMS Powerbox, 19 VMR Wheels Staggered (19x9 and 19x10), 20%Tint, LED Lights, 2 Rockford Fosgate Punch P2 10's with amp in a custom setup.
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02-10-2009, 08:07 PM	#11
Dmillion Private First Class 21 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 2005 bmw 545i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	So I go to pick my car up and the service manager immediately wants to talk to me in his office. So I tell him my issue and why the SA's explanation was not logical...so for 30 min he explains how he values my business, why the update is needed, and how I should give them a good rating blah blah blah. So he finally says "if you get your battery replaced, then I will do the software update for you for free". So apparently the voltage on my battery was low and “supposedly” that’s the reason the computers are acting funny and throwing these codes. Of course they wanted $450 for a new battery and I declined. Is there a cheaper yet quality alternative battery out there that I can purchase? So in the back of my mind im like whatever..jus give me my car and I’ll see about getting a new battery. So the SA is like “bring his car around, but we are going to have to jump start it”….once again I’m like get tha F outta here with that mann.. So I get the car back and THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS OFF! Now I’m not saying my car is fixed because it may not be, but I couldn’t help but think these guys were just trying to get some money out of me. O..and car started just fine when I got home lol. Here is the SIB that they referred to http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho....php?p=2095136 and it says NOTHING ABOUT REPLACING THE BATTERY like they stated on my paper work….I’ll have my battery checked out tomorrow.
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02-10-2009, 09:53 PM	#12
Spoolin335 Justin Herass 333 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: X6M / M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (7) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [0.00] 2012 Audi TTRS [10.00] 2012 BMW X6M [9.00] 2007 BMW 335i [9.00]	holy fuck, what the run around. please state the dealer so local guys know to stay far away!
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02-10-2009, 11:10 PM	#14
RouterGuy Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (2)	I just had a low brake pad warning on my e92. Apparently, a software upgrade did the trick. The car only has 18K miles, so it obviously didn't really need pads. But what could possibly happen that all of a sudden, the software is bad?! I don't get BMWs. This will be my third software upgrade in a year. Who writes this code, Microsoft?
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